The Liquid Shark Tooth (2011)

Malta Maritime Museum
8th October 2011

Duration
3 min

Synopsis

A video installation based on sailors’ superstitions, created as part of the Birgufest, installed in the Anadrian Hall, at Malta Maritime Museum. The video recounts a story based on a superstition of Maltese sailors. A famous remedy to protect oneself from drowning from the evil eye was St Paul’s serpent tongue. It was believed that St Paul has fossilised the snake’s poison in these tongue shaped fossils. One had to search for these fossil tongues around the island. Once found these were crushed with a mortar and pestle, mixed water then drunk. This way the sailor was protecting himself.

Performer
Rebecca Camilleri

Designer and Maker
Matthew Pandolfino

Sound Artist
Mario Sammut

Videography and Graphic Art
Jimmy Grima

Collaborators
Liam Gauci

Collaborating Organisation
Heritage Malta